William Rush, Waterloo Road Actor, Dies Aged 31

Posted on 18/12/2025 by Boris Clair

Former Waterloo Road actor William Rush has died at the age of 31.

William was best known for his work as Josh Stevenson in the long-running BBC school drama, playing the character for four seasons between 2009 and 2013.

His mother, soap actor Debbie Rush, shared the news on Instagram on Thursday morning, writing that her “beautiful baby boy” had died the previous day.

“As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss,” she wrote.

“Even in our darkest moment, William gave the most precious gift of all. Through being an organ donor, he has given hope and life to other families, thinking of others right to the very end. His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.”

She added: “We kindly ask that our privacy be respected as we navigate this unimaginable grief. William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts.”

Debbie signed off her message using the hashtag “#bekind”.

William Rush in character as Josh in Waterloo Road

William began his career as a child actor, appearing in shows like Grange Hill and Shameless before landing the role of Josh in Waterloo Road.

Throughout his time in the series, William’s character, Josh, was involved in several of the show’s major storylines, including coming to terms with his sexuality, issues with drug addiction and his mental health.

He also appeared in Coronation Street, the same soap in which his mum starred as Anna Windass, and the ITV detective drama in 2014.

William was also a musician and singer, appearing on the talent search The X Factor in 2016, making it through to the infamous “six chair challenge” stage, before being cast in the Australian miniseries Friday On My Mind as the musician George Young, which marked his final on-screen role.

Richard Gadd Reveals He Cut 1 Baby Reindeer Episode For This Chilling Reason

Posted on 14/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Richard Gadd has revealed the reason why one episode of Baby Reindeer didn’t make the final cut.

The British actor and writer achieved international acclaim with the Emmy-winning Netflix miniseries based on his real-life experiences with a stalker, who is portrayed in the series by Jessica Gunning.

It’s no secret that the show features some pretty dark moments, exploring the traumatising impacts of stalking, Donny’s sexual assault and his character’s struggles with sexuality.

Yet this was exactly how Richard envisioned his series, even going so far as to remove one episode entirely because it didn’t match the dark vibe of the show.

Speaking at the Future Visions conference in Melbourne, Australia, the actor explained that TV executives had suggested he make the show lighter.

“I remember when we were developing it, there was the note that kept coming in, and probably rightfully so, about ‘The show is just too dark. You need to give us a respite’,” he said, according to Metro.

That led to an episode where Richard’s character visited his family in Scotland and spent a lot of screen time playing football with his dad.

But Richard noticed during editing that it removed all tension, and found himself, rather ironically, wishing for Martha back.

“When we got to the edit, I thought, ‘You miss her every time she’s not on screen’. And I thought, in a lot of ways, the sooner you get back to her, the better,” he said.

The deleted episode reportedly featured a climactic moment which sees Martha get into Donny’s kitchen, which was instead repurposed as a scene in the rejigged third episode, according to Variety.

The success of Baby Reindeer hasn’t been without controversy, with Richard notably becoming embroiled in a legal battle with the woman claiming she inspired the “Martha” character.

Netflix previously vowed to “defend this matter vigorously”, while insisting they stood by “Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story”.

Back in May, Richard explained that the success of the show has brought its own set of “challenges”.

During a new interview with The Guardian, he admitted: “There have been a lot of challenging moments. The show has reached such an extreme pitch – there have been times when I’ve felt like the pressure was intolerable. It’s been a hurricane.”

This Iconic UK ’90s Show Has Finally Hit Streaming For The First Time Ever

Posted on 14/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Get ready to journey back down memory lane, because Byker Grove is about to be available to binge-watch for the very first time.

All episodes of the iconic 90s kids drama starring Ant and Dec will be on STV Player and ITVX by the end of this year – and the first five seasons are already available to watch on the latter.

The beloved kids’ drama starred Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as PJ and Duncan, and the pair have been a dynamic duo ever since.

The show aired on BBC One from 1989 to 2006 and followed the lives of youngsters at a Newcastle youth club.

Now ’90s kids and new fans alike will be able to stream the series in full for the first time as part of a deal with Ant & Dec’s production company Mitre Studios.

The show was widely praised over the years for its handling of societal issues like drug addiction, abuse and homophobia, and it also featured the first gay kiss on a UK children’s programme in 1994.

Richard Williams, STV’s Managing Director, Audience: Video & Technology, said in a statement (via Radio Times): “Just when you thought the ’90s revival might have been slowing down, we’ve only gone and brought back one of the seminal TV shows of the decade.

“Byker Grove was an integral part of so many British childhoods and we’re delighted that those original viewers – now of a slightly more mature vintage – can relive all the nostalgic action on STV Player. And if any Gen Z viewers want to find out who really started the baggy trousers trend, look no further than Byker Grove!”

The announcement comes after the presenter duo announced in 2023 that they would be rebooting the classic show, though we’re still waiting for new updates on that.

“Once again it will follow a new generation of young people and their families as they try to navigate the challenges they face today in the 2020s,” the pair teased in their announcement.

After leaving the show, Ant and Dec went on to launch their music careers as PJ & Duncan, before they moved into their successful career as a presenting duo.

Jeremy Clarkson’s Grand Tour Replacement Could Be This TikTok Trainspotter

Posted on 31/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May parted ways with their Amazon Prime series The Grand Tour last year.

Co-star James May explained that this was because “I think Jeremy, Richard and I gave the format a really good thrashing and now it’s time to let a younger generation have a go.”

But working out who that “younger generation” may be seems to have proven difficult, with rumours of a replacement from The Sun only circulating a year on from when the last episode aired.

The publication says a source told them TikTok sensation and train lover Francis Bourgeois was set to replace Jeremy (sorry, what?).

“Francis is a big noise online and Amazon producers are hoping to bring him into the mainstream,” the TV insider alleged.

“He is loved by everyone – from royals to rappers – and is sure to be a hit with Grand Tour viewers.

“Francis is not just a social media sensation but trained as a mechanical engineer so knows his stuff,” they told the publication.

Of course, this is all rumour at the moment – HuffPost UK has asked Amazon for comment to clarify – but that hasn’t stopped fans from having pretty strong reactions to the suggestion.

“April the 1st is not until Tuesday,” one X user wrote.

Still, it wouldn’t be Francis’ first dip into mainstream TV.

Channel 4′s Trainspotting With Francis Bourgeois starred big-name guests like Tom Daly, Aisling Bea, and Sam Ryder.

He also worked with Louis Theroux on YouTube series Scooting & Chatting with Francis Bourgeois.

Francis has also appeared in Clean Bandit, Anne-Marie, and David Guetta’s Cry Baby music video.

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He has also worked with brands like Gucci before.

Only time will tell if the sustainable transport lover will be able to add the car-obsessed show to his extensive CV too…

28 Most Hilarious Celebrity Videos From 2024 That We’re Still Howling At Now

Posted on 27/12/2024 by Boris Clair

There’s no getting it around it – 2024 hasn’t exactly been a non-stop barrel of laughs when it comes to the news cycle and and world events.

We’re happy, then, that the past year has gifted us some truly brilliant comedy moments (both intentional and unintentional) to take our mind off… well… everything else that’s been going on, at least for a minute or two.

As the year draws to a close, we’re looking back at 28 of our favourite laugh-out-loud hilarious and otherwise ridiculous celebrity moments from the last 12 months…

Let’s start with the man of the hour, Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland, whose one-liners over the course of the series provided plenty of laughs

In fact, this year’s Strictly gave us some brilliant moments, most notably Nikita Kuzmin’s epic musical blunder

And while we’re on the subject of Strictly Come Dancing and musical blunders – we have to give this clip a special mention

Carlos Gu’s fabulous costume during Halloween week definitely needs a shout-out, too

Oh! And who could forget when none other than Nessa Jenkins made a surprise cameo during the live final?

Way back in January, the nation’s jaws hit the floor when The Traitors competitor Diane Carson dropped three little words

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Speaking of “hitting the floor” (sorry, Alison!)

Yes, Alison Hammond continued to bring us an endless list of joyful moments in 2024, including this epic reunion with Ryan Gosling and an unfortunate (though, apparently, deliberate!) choice of words

Some more of 2024’s most unintentionally hilarious celebrity interview moments came when Jordan North tried to explain the concept of a chip butty to Billie Eilish…

…Amelia Dimoldenberg struggled to get on the same wavelength as Sabrina Carpenter…

…Paul Mescal seemingly knew less about himself than one of his super-fans…

…and Miriam Margolyes made her feelings on grown-up Harry Potter fans abundantly clear

Meanwhile, the return of Celebrity Big Brother gave us this extremely sincere apology from Lauren Simon and Louis Walsh (and some excellent reactions from the rest of the house)…

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Lauren having multiple pages yet only reading out those few words, the silence afterwards, her just standing there, Davids face, Bradley not being able to contain his laughter, Zezes face after the word banter… Stunning. #cbbuk pic.twitter.com/cqiJdl63Ak

— putasinghonit (@putasinghonit) March 9, 2024

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Lauren having multiple pages yet only reading out those few words, the silence afterwards, her just standing there, Davids face, Bradley not being able to contain his laughter, Zezes face after the word banter… Stunning. #cbbuk pic.twitter.com/cqiJdl63Ak

— putasinghonit (@putasinghonit) March 9, 2024

This Is Why The Original Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special Is Still A Festive Masterpiece

Posted on 22/12/2024 by Boris Clair

While every year there are the same moans and groans about the Christmas TV schedules being packed with repeats, there’s one show that we definitely don’t mind watching again and again – the original festive special of Gavin & Stacey.

The BBC sitcom had been running for two seasons by the time we got the first festive episode in 2008, and what a seasonal delight it was.

While we’d seen plenty of interactions between the entire Shipman and West clan in the years previous, there was a real moment of joy seeing them all prepare for their first Christmas together following Gavin and Stacey’s wedding.

Not only did the hour-long episode deliver on comedy and plot, but it also highlighted all those little Christmas foibles that go on in households up and down the country come 25 December.

And as much as we loved having the gang back together in 2019 for the much-anticipated reunion episode, there’s something magical about the original that made it such a festive masterpiece.

Here’s why it’s a show that’s worthy of repeat viewing every December…

1. Pam’s stance on Christmas cards

Pam had strong views on when to send Christmas cards

Prior to 2008, we were always baffled as to why some people would send their Christmas cards before December had even rolled around, but Pam Shipman imparted some serious wisdom on us that made us completely reverse our stance.

“What is the point of sending cards that arrive on Christmas Eve? They’ll get taken down in a few days. That’s why I send all mine on the first of November. Gives people seven weeks to enjoy them,” she said.

You have to admit, she has a point, right?

2. John who?

Speaking of Christmas cards, Pam and Mick also tapped into something we’ve all heard our parents say when they receive a festive greeting from someone they cannot quite place.

“Oh, look at that, ‘From John’… It could be mechanic John… It won’t be John from Ann and John.”

3. Doris being ‘absolutely twatted’ before lunchtime on Christmas Eve

A relatable queen.

4. Nessa in the grotto

An inspired piece of writing from Ruth Jones and James Corden.

5. Gavin and Smithy’s sing-a-long

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It’s the scene that inspired James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke, and despite the fact he was eventually joined by the likes of Adele, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga in his car to sing along to their biggest hits, it’s still Smithy’s duet down the phone on Do They Know It’s Christmas? that remains the original and the best.

We’ve also never been able to say Midge Ure’s name the same way since.

6. The mint Baileys scene

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The scene where Gwen and Bryn share their first ever mint Baileys before boarding the coach to Essex wasn’t big or flashy, but it had a quiet comfort and poignancy about it, which Gavin & Stacey always nails so perfectly.

7. Mick’s turkey saga

Are you basting it? Are you soaking it overnight? Are you doing it the Nigella way? Or are you sticking to Jamie Oliver, because you “know where you are with him”?

Through the characters of Mick and Pete, the Christmas special managed to perfectly encapsulate the bizarre obsession and competitiveness dads have with other men about their turkeys each year.

8. The fight

Pam wasn't exactly thrilled with Gavin's news — Pam wasn’t exactly thrilled with Gavin’s news

Pam’s eruption after finding out her “little prince” was planning on relocating to Barry set off a chain of events that made this scene one of the most memorable in Gavin & Stacey history.

Not only did Alison Steadman absolutely commit to the moment, but we also saw Gwen finally stand up to Pam, Nessa threaten to “see her outside” (and Pam stupidly believe she could take her on), before Pete went toe-to-toe with Dave Coaches to defend Dawn’s honour.

Admittedly, there’s some language that we’d hope wouldn’t make it into the script in 2024, and we were very pleased when they all put the row behind them. But it has to be said, this scene shook up the dynamic between all the characters and also sent up those fights that happen in every family each festive season.

9. Pam and Mick’s royal romp

We learned that Pam’s royal obsession translated into the bedroom as she prepared to be “knighted” with Mick’s “special sword” – all while he was wearing a comedy pair of King Charles ears.

10. Pam’s vegetarianism comes unstuck

As “Three Steaks Pam” faced the prospect of a turkey-less Christmas after her long-standing lies about being a vegetarian, it transpired she hadn’t fooled anyone with her stance on meat – except for Gwen that is, who had bought her a vegetarian cookbook for Christmas.

11. The opening of the ‘presents’

Nessa and Dave gifted everyone a single chocolate from a box of Celebrations

Never before had we been so eager to see which Celebration someone was eating, and we definitely still relate to Smithy wrapping all his presents in tin foil for ease.

Doris gifting Gwen talcum powder, despite her still having a stack of it unused at home from previous years, was also a foible we’ve seen play out during present openings over the years.

12. The Nessa and Smithy sexual tension

Smithy didn't want Nessa to marry Dave — Smithy didn’t want Nessa to marry Dave

Years before we got the 2019 Christmas proposal, there was a special moment between Nessa and Smithy that gave fans hope that the characters would finally end up together as Smithy urged her not to marry Dave Coaches.

13. The end song

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No, you’re crying.

All episodes of Gavin & Stacey are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The final episode of Gavin & Stacey will air on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One.

Let’s start with the man of the hour, Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland, whose one-liners over the course of the series provided plenty of laughs

In fact, this year’s Strictly gave us some brilliant moments, most notably Nikita Kuzmin’s epic musical blunder

And while we’re on the subject of Strictly Come Dancing and musical blunders – we have to give this clip a special mention

Carlos Gu’s fabulous costume during Halloween week definitely needs a shout-out, too

Oh! And who could forget when none other than Nessa Jenkins made a surprise cameo during the live final?

Way back in January, the nation’s jaws hit the floor when The Traitors competitor Diane Carson dropped three little words

Speaking of “hitting the floor” (sorry, Alison!)

Yes, Alison Hammond continued to bring us an endless list of joyful moments in 2024, including this epic reunion with Ryan Gosling and an unfortunate (though, apparently, deliberate!) choice of words

Some more of 2024’s most unintentionally hilarious celebrity interview moments came when Jordan North tried to explain the concept of a chip butty to Billie Eilish…

…Amelia Dimoldenberg struggled to get on the same wavelength as Sabrina Carpenter…

…Paul Mescal seemingly knew less about himself than one of his super-fans…

…and Miriam Margolyes made her feelings on grown-up Harry Potter fans abundantly clear

Meanwhile, the return of Celebrity Big Brother gave us this extremely sincere apology from Lauren Simon and Louis Walsh (and some excellent reactions from the rest of the house)…

…And Sharon Osbourne more than lived up to her reputation in the house, delivering this staggering takedown of Simon Cowell, The X Factor and TV talent shows in general

The regular Big Brother house also opened its doors for its second run of the ITV era – giving us this priceless moment

BBC News’ most viral star Maryam Moshiri continued to deliver…

…and deliver…

…and deliver

Hugh Grant turned on the charm at an otherwise uneventful Baftas

While this outtake from Hannah Waddingham at the Oliviers certainly delivered on laughs

Hannah also went viral at the TV Baftas for her hilarious reaction to losing an award to Strictly Come Dancing (that’s a secret flask in her bracelet, by the way)

Every second of this Joe Lycett speech from the same night is just excellent

The Bridgerton cast took us all behind the scenes of season three – including this impromptu dance party

While Nicola Coughlan also pranked co-star Luke Newton in a big way

Every moment of the Wicked press tour was a pretty wild ride, but we’ll always be holding space for this clip in particular

To promote the film, Ariana Grande made another epic appearance on Saturday Night Live – and while it’s hard to narrow her efforts down to just one clip, we think this one is still our favourite

Another of Ariana’s glorious SNL moments fell earlier in the season, during which even she and Bowen Yang struggled to hold in their laughs

And finally – let’s end on this delightful clip of Jake Grealish (fingers crossed he has a bit more luck with confetti on New Year’s Eve, eh?)

1. Pam’s stance on Christmas cards

2. John who?

3. Doris being ‘absolutely twatted’ before lunchtime on Christmas Eve

4. Nessa in the grotto

5. Gavin and Smithy’s sing-a-long

6. The mint Baileys scene

7. Mick’s turkey saga

8. The fight

9. Pam and Mick’s royal romp

10. Pam’s vegetarianism comes unstuck

11. The opening of the ‘presents’

12. The Nessa and Smithy sexual tension

13. The end song